ESL MTEL StudyGuide with Latest Update
STAGES OF LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Developmental stages of learning a new
language
Stage I: Pre-Production Silent period. Learner may know up to 500 words, but are not
speaking. May repeat everything they hear. Not producing, but parroting. Respond to pictures
and visuals. Total physical response methods work well for them. Teachers should focus lessons
on listening comprehension and vocab development.
Stage II: Early Production May last up to six months. Learners build a vocab of 1,000
words. Can speak in one or two word phrases. They can use short language chunks that have
been memorized, but they may use them incorrectly. Methods: Yes or no questions, one or two
word answers, pictures and realia, modify content to language level, listening and vocab
activities, graphic organizers and visuals.
Stage III: Speech Emergence 3,000 words. Simple phrases and sentence, that may or may
not be grammatically incorrect. Initiate conversations. Understand simple stories. Sound out
stories. Fill in graphic organizers. Match vocab words. Understand shorter, simplified texts.
Dialogue journals are encouraged.
,Stage IV: Intermediate Fluency 6,000 words. Begin to use complex sentences when
writing and speaking. Will ask questions and ask for clarification. Will be able to work at grade
level math and science with some teacher support. Some may translate from native tongue when
writing.
Stage V: Advanced Fluency 4-10 years. Advanced cognitive language proficiency. No
longer in ESL courses. Near-native in speaking, reading, and writing abilities. In the beginning of
this stage, they may still need teacher support in writing.
CALLA Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach. Content is the primary focus
of instruction, so academic language learning occurs as the need emerges from the content.
Relies heavily on scaffolding. Groups learning into three categories: declarative, procedural, and
metacognitive.
Culture Shock The personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an
unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, a move between social
environments, or simply travel to another type of life.
, Communicative Language Competence The learner's ability to understand and use
language appropriately to communicate in authentic (rather than simulated) social and school
environments.
CLOZE exercise An activity where some words in a passage are omitted and the learner
must fill in the blanks
receptive language skills Listening. Skills required to comprehend what has been said.
expressive language skills Speaking. One's ability to convey one's thoughts and ideas to
others.
Holistic Language Assessments Grade one's language skills with one overall score
Analytical Language Assessments Grades discrete language skills
Intake Language Proficiency Establishes need for ELL services and determines the level
of English language proficiency the student has
STAGES OF LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Developmental stages of learning a new
language
Stage I: Pre-Production Silent period. Learner may know up to 500 words, but are not
speaking. May repeat everything they hear. Not producing, but parroting. Respond to pictures
and visuals. Total physical response methods work well for them. Teachers should focus lessons
on listening comprehension and vocab development.
Stage II: Early Production May last up to six months. Learners build a vocab of 1,000
words. Can speak in one or two word phrases. They can use short language chunks that have
been memorized, but they may use them incorrectly. Methods: Yes or no questions, one or two
word answers, pictures and realia, modify content to language level, listening and vocab
activities, graphic organizers and visuals.
Stage III: Speech Emergence 3,000 words. Simple phrases and sentence, that may or may
not be grammatically incorrect. Initiate conversations. Understand simple stories. Sound out
stories. Fill in graphic organizers. Match vocab words. Understand shorter, simplified texts.
Dialogue journals are encouraged.
,Stage IV: Intermediate Fluency 6,000 words. Begin to use complex sentences when
writing and speaking. Will ask questions and ask for clarification. Will be able to work at grade
level math and science with some teacher support. Some may translate from native tongue when
writing.
Stage V: Advanced Fluency 4-10 years. Advanced cognitive language proficiency. No
longer in ESL courses. Near-native in speaking, reading, and writing abilities. In the beginning of
this stage, they may still need teacher support in writing.
CALLA Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach. Content is the primary focus
of instruction, so academic language learning occurs as the need emerges from the content.
Relies heavily on scaffolding. Groups learning into three categories: declarative, procedural, and
metacognitive.
Culture Shock The personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an
unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, a move between social
environments, or simply travel to another type of life.
, Communicative Language Competence The learner's ability to understand and use
language appropriately to communicate in authentic (rather than simulated) social and school
environments.
CLOZE exercise An activity where some words in a passage are omitted and the learner
must fill in the blanks
receptive language skills Listening. Skills required to comprehend what has been said.
expressive language skills Speaking. One's ability to convey one's thoughts and ideas to
others.
Holistic Language Assessments Grade one's language skills with one overall score
Analytical Language Assessments Grades discrete language skills
Intake Language Proficiency Establishes need for ELL services and determines the level
of English language proficiency the student has
